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A man sitting at the edge of a rooftop pool wearing the Ascend belt

Adult swim training belt

Ascend

A flotation belt for adults learning to swim. Seven soft, tapered blocks keep the lift at the lower back, bend with the body, and look like sports gear, not a child's float.

Role
Research, design, prototyping
Materials
Neoprene, foam, webbing
Lift
2.52 kg (24.7 N)

Concepts

Three ways to float.

Click a concept to see it on its own, with its drawing.

A swimmer doing front crawl in a blue tiled pool, wearing the belt at the lower back

How it works

Where the lift goes.

2.52 kg of lift, placed where it helps you learn. Move over the photo to look through the loupe.

Process

Fabric to water.

From the first sketch to the belt in the pool.

Scroll to move along

DrawingPencil sketch of four foam blocks on a strap

01Early sketchA first idea: four big blocks on a strap.

Drawing of the segmented belt on a body, side view

02Chosen conceptSeven tapered blocks, worn low on the waist.

Specification drawing of the belt with dimensions

03SpecificationAn 18 cm centre block, with 8.3 cm blocks tapering out to each side.

PrototypeThe first fabric prototype of the belt, laid flat

04First prototypeFabric and foam, to test the shape and size.

Fit trialsA person wearing the prototype belt, side view

05Fit trial, side“The belt feels substantial and the segmented design seems like it would allow for good movement.”

A person wearing the prototype belt, back view

06Fit trial, back“I wonder if the belt would ride up or down when I’m moving my arms a lot.”

Another person wearing the prototype belt, back view

07Fit trial, another bodyChecking the centre block sits on the lower back on a different frame.

Making

How it’s made

  1. Cut the fabric pattern
  2. Sew the fabric pockets
  3. Prepare the foam blocks
  4. Insert the foam into the pockets
  5. Attach the pockets to the webbing
  6. Add the buckle

08Six stepsFrom flat neoprene to a finished belt.

FinishedThe finished belt floating flat on a pool

09In the waterSeven blocks, floating flat.

In the water

Two bodies, one belt.

The strap fits waists from 65 cm to 110 cm, the 5th to 95th percentile of adults.

A woman standing in the pool by the steps, the belt and buckle at her waist
A man standing in the pool wearing the belt, hands behind his head
A woman sitting at the pool edge in the sun, wearing the belt
A man seen from behind, the centre block on his lower back
A man looking down at the blocks at his waist
A woman standing in the pool wearing the belt, side profile
A woman walking down the pool steps wearing the belt
A woman sitting by the pool in side profile, the belt at her waist

“The belt feels very secure and doesn’t look like it would slip off, even when jumping into the water.”

Fit trial participant